The Drapers Arms, Upper Level & Terrace

Only a three for atmos cos we were about only people there at lunchtime and don’t want to blow my own trumpet… SPECTACULAR barbecue. Get the Pit Master and some wings. It’s enough for two. Best brisket ever. It’s all great. Going back.

Chef was so lovely and really cared about our experience, waitress was lovely went above and beyond to accommodate us, atmosphere great music lovely, could not recommend highly enough. You guys should all be proud of yourselves front of house and kitchen! Pit master platter UNREAL!

This was our first visit and it was a mixed bag…. It was fairly busy but not packed but there certainly didn’t appear to be sufficient staff on duty to deal with the customers that were in last Thursday evening. We waited nearly ten minutes for menus and a drink order and that was only because we went and asked for them. The food came quickly and was on the whole good. The ribs were the star of the evening, the chicken wings though, whilst substantial were bland even with the hot honey. A couple of them were borderline undercooked at the bone. We had to ask for more drinks and then chase them when they didn’t come. Likewise we had to chase the bill at the end. The single gents toilet was pretty grim and had not been looked at or cleaned for hours by the looks which is inexcusable really. We’d wanted to like the Drapper’s Arms but left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed that something in Canterbury that could be really good, actually was pretty mediocre as an overall experience. For the total cost it didn’t provide great value and the 12.5% service charge for fairly minimal service was too much - I do hope this reaches the staff who were at least trying their best. A three star review that would have been two and a half if that was an option unfortunately from this visit and probably not one we’d repeat….